Meta rejects ads for Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson’s new book

Meta has refused to run Facebook ads for a new book by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, saying it is “too political,” the Icelandic news site mbl.is reported.

The book, Vegferð um veröldina (“A journey through the world”), covers a period in Grímsson’s life, including his studies in Britain, international political work, relations with foreign leaders and his path to the 1996 presidential election.

Jón Heiðar Gunnarsson, marketing director at publisher Forlagið, said Meta had maintained its decision despite the publisher challenging the assessment twice. The publisher does not know whether the book’s content or its cover, which shows Grímsson meeting world leaders, triggered the decision. It plans to continue appealing.

Meta banned paid political, election and social-issue advertising on Facebook and Instagram within the European Union in October 2025. That ban does not apply in Iceland, where such ads remain permitted subject to requirements for identifying advertisers and ensuring transparency.

Gunnarsson said the publisher had also received error notices about older ads, including one for a book about the Second World War. Other recent books from the publisher, including one by former first lady Eliza Reid and another featuring Second World War photographs, had not been blocked.